Cancer Survivors Network - Comments for "telling people you had anal cancer"http://csn.cancer.org/node/256541
Comments for "telling people you had anal cancer"en-csnI to had anal ca and hadtohttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360780#comment-1360780
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359831#comment-1359831">Anal Cancer AKA Farrah Fawcett Cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>I to had anal ca and hadto have colostomy as after the the first tx I went back to dr and it had returned so to save my life I get to carry a bag the rest of my life.snd i do mean the rest of my life.When people got anal ca yrs ago the only way was with a colostomy,but now they approch it with rad and chemo unfortunatly I mine returned so henc the bag.Can be convient at times!I am just happy to be here!</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:48:04 +0000mariejocomment 1360780 at http://csn.cancer.orgdont feel like u have tohttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360770#comment-1360770
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/node/256541">telling people you had anal cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>dont feel like u have to hide.I had it to but ended up with a colostomy and now I have to have a bag on the rest of my life,but i have no control over passing gas and at first it embarrsing.Then I decided that first of all passing gas was a normal body fuction,and just told people what I had and I had no control over it.It got to kinda funny after a while because when some one passed gas i always got the blame,but there is no smell with a colostomy,actually its kinda convient as I dont have to worry about going to the bath rm with it.So dont be depressed it wasnt ur falt u got ca and most all people understand.Take credit for all the pain u went through and are now healthy and enjoy ur family!</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:37:49 +0000mariejocomment 1360770 at http://csn.cancer.orgHope you are feeling better about thishttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360191#comment-1360191
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/node/256541">telling people you had anal cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>I always say I had a rare cancer, 11000 cases a year and was lucky to be so close to MSK. If anyone asks further I say anal cancer like Farrah Fawcett. It is nice to associate a pretty face and hair with this disease!</p>
<p>I have ups and downs too and it's been almost two years.</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>Sandy</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:40:57 +0000sandyspcomment 1360191 at http://csn.cancer.orgThe first thing the radiationhttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360149#comment-1360149
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360129#comment-1360129">yes anal</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The first thing the radiation nurse at MDA had me do was repeat, and repeat, Anal cancer over and over, and then said ok, now let's get rid of it! LOL!</p>
<p> </p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:59:42 +0000Lorikatcomment 1360149 at http://csn.cancer.orgyes analhttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360129#comment-1360129
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359951#comment-1359951">Exactly, lizgino</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>i always say anal no matter who i am talking to....i do not care what they think and if they want more info i will answer any questions... i have sent about 8 women to my colorectal surgeon in another town who correctly diagnosed me after the proctolgist misdiagnosed me for almost a year..... ANAL ANAL ANAL..... everyone has to do what makes them feel comfortable..... in the very beginning i did refer it to Farrah's cancer but then said Anal cancer also......sephie</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:19:44 +0000sephiecomment 1360129 at http://csn.cancer.orgAngelahttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1360067#comment-1360067
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359951#comment-1359951">Exactly, lizgino</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>I couldn't agree with you more. The longer we avoid talking about anal cancer, the more stigma that will be attached to it. We are proof that it can happen to anyone--ANYONE!</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:53:01 +0000mp327comment 1360067 at http://csn.cancer.orgExactly, lizginohttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359951#comment-1359951
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359831#comment-1359831">Anal Cancer AKA Farrah Fawcett Cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>I never experienced any embarrassment regarding where my cancer just happened to pop up and hope that those who are embarrassed can see that it's just another body part. Nose, boob, foot . . .butt. :) In fact, I corrected my mother who announced to her church congregation on one of my visits that I was recovering nicely from colon cancer. </p>
<p>Why? </p>
<p>It's important to me to break the silence and talk openly and comfortably about this disease to pave the way for more open discussion. . .and help put an end to the stigma for the benefit of future survivors. To me, we're prolonging any 'shame' and the stigma that can be associated with anal cancer by hiding it. (You will find that if you are comfortable with the topic, others will be too.) Am I the only one who feels this way???</p>
<p>And besides, I bet I was the first person to utter the word 'anal' in the sanctuary of the Wesley United Methodist Church. </p>
<p>Blessings to all,</p>
<p>Angela</p>
<p> </p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:18:29 +0000Angela_Kcomment 1359951 at http://csn.cancer.orglizginohttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359857#comment-1359857
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359831#comment-1359831">Anal Cancer AKA Farrah Fawcett Cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>I'm very glad you got all good news on your follow-up exam and I hope your scan results will come back clean! Please let us know the good news when you get it!</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:19:00 +0000mp327comment 1359857 at http://csn.cancer.orgAnal Cancer AKA Farrah Fawcett Cancerhttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1359831#comment-1359831
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/node/256541">telling people you had anal cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Pem,</p>
<p>I too had anal cancer which has nothing to do with HPV. I was diagnosed with the rare kind like you had. If people asked I would say "Farrah Fawcett" cancer...they would look at me and say ohhhhhh, so sorry! I did, however smoke (my last cig was on the way to see my doc when I was diagnosed, haven't touched one since!), and we have NO history of any cancer in our family. Also, I did have cervical cancer when I was young (not HPV related either)... who knows...and actually who cares? I was diagnosed with stage III, which was also in my rectum and pelvic and groin lymph nodes. </p>
<p>I have on occassion told people "colo-rectal cancer" because when I would say Anal, they would give me a blank stare, like I was from Mars...not understanding.</p>
<p>All in all we HAVE/HAD cancer. It doesn't matter where in your body it is...it is still cancer. I'm 10 months in remission now. I'm still cautious and am experience a huge amounts of side affects from radiation and chemo. Just had a check up 2 days ago..no evidence of anal cancer YAY!!!, but waiting on results of CAT Scan for rectal and lymph nodes.</p>
<p>I remember being diagnosed the DAY BEFORE MY 50TH and the doc telling me it was the same as Farrah Fawcett. In my mind I was freaking because I though "I'm dead" because she passed from it. My MD explained Farrah had it twice, the first time she was treated and went into remission. The second time she was told she would have to have a permanent colostomy. She didn't want to go that way, and sought alternative options in Germany, which failed, and by the time she returned to the US for treatment, it was too late. </p>
<p>DO NOT be ashamed or embarrassed by the type of cancer you have...EVER!!! Be proud that you are surviving! </p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:30:56 +0000lizginocomment 1359831 at http://csn.cancer.orgAdd me to the list that tellshttp://csn.cancer.org/comment/1357030#comment-1357030
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<p><em>In reply to <a href="http://csn.cancer.org/node/256541">telling people you had anal cancer</a></em></p>
<div class="field field-name-comment-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Add me to the list that tells strangers and those on my outer circle I had colon cancer. My real friends I have told and I let them know it is because "they can handle it." </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Interestingly, even when I was going through radiation and other patients asked me what I was being treated for they seemed embarrassed to discussed anal cancer. </p>
<p>I guess it is more socially acceptable to have a pretty cancer like breast with its nice pink ribbons. Believe me that is said tongue in cheek as I don't wish cancer on anyone.</p>
<p>Really how much do we talk about our bodily functions, probably next to never.</p>
<p>What helped me change my thoughts was my doctor submitted a sample to the Mayo Clinic and told me since I had certain HPV markers that most likely was the reason I got anal cancer. HPV can be acquired quite innocently. I do remember when I broke the cancer diagnosis to my boss I told him don't even think I had anal sex but I was comfortable talking a bit inappropriately at that job but I always thought that would be the first thoughts that passed someone's mind. I never felt uncomfortable with my family but never told my own mother who is in a nursing home what kind of cancer I had - she thinks colon. You may want to share with your doctors your feelings and see what they say or if they suggest you speak to someone about it - you need to focus on your own health and healing. Hugs.</p></div></div></div><ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">Log in</a> or <a href="/user/register?destination=node/256541%23comment-form">register</a> to post comments</span></li>
</ul>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:44:17 +00001lindecomment 1357030 at http://csn.cancer.org